How to Create an Object in Python

To create an object in Python, you first define a class, then call the class name like a function.

This page shows you how to:

Create an object from a class
Understand the difference between the class name and the object variable
Pass starting values when creating an object
Use the object's data and methods right away

Quick answer

class Dog:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

my_dog = Dog("Max")
print(my_dog.name)

Output:

Max

Create a class, call the class name like a function, and store the new object in a variable.

What this page helps you do

Create an object from a class
Understand the class name vs the object variable
Pass starting values when creating an object
Use the object's data and methods

What an object is in simple terms

A class is a blueprint.

An object is one real thing created from that blueprint.

For example, if Dog is a class, then Dog("Max") creates one dog object.

Important ideas:

A class is a blueprint
An object is one real item made from that blueprint
You can create many objects from the same class
Each object can store its own values

If you want a deeper explanation, see Python classes and objects explained or what an object is in Python.

Basic steps to create an object

The usual process is:

Define a class with class ClassName:
Optionally add __init__ to set starting values
Create the object with ClassName(...)
Save it in a variable like user = User(...)

Here is the general pattern:

class ClassName:
    def __init__(self, value):
        self.value = value

my_object = ClassName("example")

In this code:

ClassName is the class
my_object is the variable that stores the new object
"example" is passed into __init__

Create an object without starting values

This is the simplest possible example.

class Car:
    pass

my_car = Car()

print(type(my_car))
print(my_car)

Possible output:

<class '__main__.Car'>
<__main__.Car object at 0x...>

Why this example helps:

The class can be empty except for pass
You still create the object by calling the class name
It shows the object creation step clearly

The important line is:

my_car = Car()

That creates one Car object and stores it in my_car.

Create an object with `init`

Most of the time, you will want to give the object some starting data.

__init__ is a special method that runs automatically when the object is created.

class Person:
    def __init__(self, name, age):
        self.name = name
        self.age = age

person1 = Person("Ana", 30)

print(person1.name)
print(person1.age)

Output:

Ana
30

What is happening here:

__init__ runs when Person("Ana", 30) is called
self refers to the object being created
name and age receive the values you pass in
self.name and self.age store those values in the object

So this line:

person1 = Person("Ana", 30)

creates the object and gives it starting values.

If you want to learn more about this method, see the __init__ method in Python explained.

Access object data and methods

After creating an object, you usually want to use its data or call its methods.

Use dot notation for both.

Access data

class Person:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

person = Person("Lina")
print(person.name)

Output:

Lina

Call a method

class Person:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

    def say_hello(self):
        print("Hello, my name is", self.name)

person = Person("Lina")
person.say_hello()

Output:

Hello, my name is Lina

Key points:

Use dot notation like person.name
Call methods with dot notation like person.say_hello()
Each object keeps its own attribute values
The object variable points to that specific object

If you want to build your own class first, see how to create a class in Python. If you want objects to do more, see how to add methods to a class in Python.

Common beginner mistakes

These are some common problems when creating objects in Python.

Forgetting parentheses

Wrong:

class Dog:
    pass

my_dog = Dog
print(type(my_dog))

Here, my_dog refers to the class itself, not an object.

Correct:

class Dog:
    pass

my_dog = Dog()
print(type(my_dog))

Passing the wrong number of arguments

class Dog:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

my_dog = Dog()

This causes an error because name is required.

Correct:

my_dog = Dog("Max")

If you see this kind of problem, read how to fix TypeError: missing required positional argument.

Forgetting `self` inside class methods

Wrong:

class Dog:
    def __init__(name):
        self.name = name

Correct:

class Dog:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

Inside instance methods, the first parameter should usually be self.

Using a variable before assigning the object

Wrong:

print(my_dog.name)

class Dog:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

my_dog = Dog("Max")

Create the object first, then use it.

Other common causes

Trying to use a class before defining it
Writing object = ClassName instead of object = ClassName()
Defining __init__ with parameters but not passing values
Misspelling the class name when creating the object

This page focuses on the task of creating an object.

It does not try to fully explain all class design.

It stays practical and action-focused:

Create an object
Pass values into it
Use its attributes and methods

For deeper learning, use these related pages:

Helpful debugging checks

If object creation is not working, these quick checks can help:

print(type(my_object))
print(my_object)
print(my_object.__dict__)
help(ClassName)

What these do:

print(type(my_object)) shows the object's type
print(my_object) shows the object representation
print(my_object.__dict__) shows the object's stored attributes
help(ClassName) shows information about the class

Example:

class Dog:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

my_object = Dog("Max")

print(type(my_object))
print(my_object.__dict__)

Output:

<class '__main__.Dog'>
{'name': 'Max'}

FAQ

What is the difference between a class and an object?

A class is the template. An object is one instance created from that template.

Do I always need `init` to create an object?

No. You can create an object without __init__, but __init__ is useful for setting starting values.

Can I create more than one object from the same class?

Yes. Each object is a separate instance and can have different data.

Example:

class Dog:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

dog1 = Dog("Max")
dog2 = Dog("Bella")

print(dog1.name)
print(dog2.name)

Output:

Max
Bella

Why do I get a `TypeError` when creating an object?

Usually because the arguments passed to the class do not match the __init__ parameters.

For example:

class User:
    def __init__(self, username):
        self.username = username

user = User()

This fails because username is missing.